Dr John Kelly, UMASS Worcester

Hello, I am going through Dr. Kelly's program right now. I started in March 06 and I am almost finished. I was going through the Fallon program but I changed because they require a 10% wieght loss and that would have been 35 lbs. for me and I was having a real hard time and it was taking forever. This program is great and they just want you to loose some weight even if it is only 2 lbs., but you can't gain any. He is a great doctor and one of the best around, she will be in great hands. Any questions feel free to email me. Amy

Hi I am the sister that Carrie is requesting info for. I am wondering if you have had the surgery w/Dr. Kelly, what is the complete process, from start to finish? Also, has anyone ever been to the surgical info meeting before the orientation meeting? I am looking at the upcoming dates and would like to go to the surgical discussion group Oct. 26, if possible. My BMI is not too high but I have diabetes, high cholesterol, depression and a host of others. Thanks

Hi Kathy, I had Dr. Kelly for my surgeon. He was wonderful. He is just so kind and reassuring. He just has this calming presence about him. He made me feel very relaxed. I would say that they are over-estimating the time. Some people may get through the program faster than others. I met with the medical dr and behaviorist before Xmas, the nutritionist right at the beginning of January and started all of my required groups before the end of March. I had a problem with my insurance which caused a little delay, but had my date of Aug 9th by 4th of July weekend. I had to postpone my surgery to Sept 6 due to very high blood sugar in my pre-op testing. The program is very thorough. There are 5 weeks in an exercise group (if you are physically fit enough to take the classes), 4 weeks of pre-surgical skills class, you may need to meet with a dietician after all of these classes which could add a little extra time, you meet with the therapist/behaviorist to get approved for your letter to be sent to insurance and you meet with Dr. Kelly. If you read all of the info they give you at the beginning of the process and look at what classes you have to sign up for and talk to the girls in the office you can be doing both of your groups at the same time and be through that part of the process earlier. I felt very confident about my surgery after meeting with Dr. Kelly. I go to the surgical meetings. I was there on the 26th, not sure if you made it or not. I hope to be there on Nov. 30th. I am still learning things from other people and sometimes it just helps to listen to what they have to say. Good luck. Maybe I will see you on the 30th.

Hi Laurie Thanks for the feedback. I am excited but nervous. I have my first intake appt. January 10. I have read some messages on this board and there is mixed messages. Some say that the process is so long, but the meetings say about 6 months. I have two sisters that have had the surgery and both are so happy, and they look amazing. All three of us have.or in thier case, had diabetes. I have a host of medical conditions that can be controlled/eliminated by this surgery. Is the material you are refering to recieved at the intake appt. or what was rc'd at the initial meetings? Thanks Kathy

I got the information at my intake. There is kind of like a checklist with all of the different meetings/appointments listed and a place to write in the dates of your appointments. I think I had to meet with the nutritionist before I could set up my dates for the exercise classes and the pre-surgical skills group. But as soon as I could, I signed up for both. I was finished with my exercise classes before most of my pre-surgical skills group had even started. After your medical intake you will have to meet with the behaviorist(counselor) and the nutritionist. Linda the counselor is so nice and Jenny is the nutritionist that you want to have your appointment with. I did not like Lissa(nutritionist). We just didn't click. If you can't get in with Jenny take the first appointment they will give you. You can always ask for later appointments with Jenny.

HI. I KNOW I'M RESPONDING A LITTLE LATE, BUT I JUST READ YOUR QUESTION. I WORK AT UMASS. I STARTED OUT HERE BUT WAS PUT OFF BY THE LENGTH OF TIME AS WELL. DR. KELLY IS SUPPOSEDLY THE "BEST", BUT I KNOW THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF THE "BESTS" AROUND THE STATE AS WELL. NO, I WOULN'T GO IN SOMEONE'S BASEMENT TO HAVE THIS DONE, BUT I FEEL THAT WE'VE MADE THE DECISION TO HAVE THIS DONE (AT LEAST I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS FOR A YEAR) AND FOR ME TO HAVE TO WAIT ANOTHER YEAR WOULD HAVE REALLY MADE IT HARD. I THINK IF A PERSON NEEDS THAT TIME, THEN SURE, GO FOR IT. BUT IF YOU'VE MADE UP YOUR MIND, THEN GO SOMEWHERE ELSE THAT'S QUICKER. I WORK WITH A GIRL WHO HAD DR. KELLY, AROUND THREE YEARS AGO, MAYBE 4 AND LET ME TELL YOU....I LOOK BETTER THAN HER....I DON'T KNOW WHAT SHE'S DOING (OR SHOULD i SAY EATING) BUT IT'S MOSTLY UP TO THE PATIENT TO KEEP IT OFF. I SEE HER EATING ALL THE WRONG FOODS. I'M GOING THRU NEWTON WELLESLEY. THEY ARE WONDERFUL SO FAR. I HAVEN'T HAD SURGERY YET, BUT MY DR. APPT IS DEC. 27. THAT INCLUDES THE DIETICIAN AS WELL AS THE PSYCOLOGIST. ONLY THREE MEETINGS ARE NEEDED TO ATTEND. YOU MUST PAY $550.00 FOR THE MEETINGS (REFUNDABLE IF NOT APPROVED) AND AT UMASS IT'S $350.00 (NOT REFUNDABLE) OR IF YOU ARE NOT HAVING SURGERY IT COSTS $800.00. SO GO FIGURE.